InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Archer ❯ First Day Jitters ( Chapter 1 )

Kagome Hirugashi ran down the shrine steps, stumbling clumsily under the weight if her school bag. "No time for breakfast, Mama, I'm late!"

"But it's the first day of school-" her mother was left staring at a trail of dust. "I hope she doesn't hurt herself."

Blocks away, she tripped. "Darned curb," cursed the girl as she picked herself up. She failed to acknowledge that the said curb was a good four meters behind her. She gasped in horror as a ringing sound reached her ears. Was that the bell!?! Noooooooo!!! Scrambling, she raced across the street, through the grass, around the statue in the middle of the courtyard, up the steps…

And straight into a wall. Wait a minute. Walls didn't just sprout up in front of doors. And they didn't wear crimson and black varsity jackets. And they most certainly didn't utter words like those! She looked up. Nope. Not a wall. Definitely not a wall.

It took her a few moments, but she realized that the person who was not a wall was speaking to her. "What?" She tore her gaze away from his shocking amber eyes and looked down at the floor, wishing to disappear. Fat chance.

"So are you gonna go inside or what?" Seeing that she still wasn't responding, he asked "Should I say it a third time? You're the one who's gonna be late."

Her head shot up. Was he mocking her!? "What about you? Planning on ditching?" Argh! Stupid Kagome! Who would come to the first day of classes just to ditch! Goodness! I must have fallen harder than I thought!

"Nope." She blinked as he held up a pass, dangling it inches away from her face. "I'm delivering a message for my evil math teacher." He shrugged. "I guess he had enough of me last year, so he wants me around as least as possible now. You know, because I'm so hot. He's jealous." He was laughing at her! The gall of him!

"I see."

"Hey, girl…"

"Yeah?"

"The clock's ticking."

"Oh!" She took off, scampering to get through the doors, the strange boy's laughter chasing her down the empty hallway.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

This was turning out to be a very bad day. She woke up to a broken alarm clock and no hot water. Halfway across the street, she skinned her knee, and then ran into some random smart-ass guy.

At least her first class didn't seem too bad. Math was her worst subject, but still. The only seat available was the one all the way in the back, right next to the window. It was perfect. The teacher seemed oblivious enough, too. He spent half the period attempting to teach, and the other half keeping tabs on a black haired boy. Or, rather, the black haired boy's hand. Quite an adventurous appendage, it was.

Kagome spent most of her time staring out of the window. The tree that extended from just below it was beautiful… inspiring. Getting an idea, she subtly pulled out her sketchbook and took a few tentative strokes across the first blank page… moments later, she was in her own world. Her senses dimmed, her eyes became dreamy, her pencil flew across the page, and a content smile touched her lips. I love it. They will, too. It'll be gorgeous. In her mind's eye, she could already see it. Her fingers paused their work for a moment and twitched, itching for her case of colored pencils.

"I was wondering if you were ever gonna snap out of it," commented a familiar voice dryly. "Class is almost over. Most of us are already packed."

"Huh?" Kagome was still trying to make the transition from her world to reality. Eyes locking on the speaker's face, she gasped. "You!"

"Yeah. Me." He watched as she hurriedly snapped her notebook closed and slid it into her backpack. "You're not very good at paying attention, are you, girl? You slow in the head or something?"

A frown marred her features. "I hear fine, thank you. However, I make it a habit to tune out insufferable boys who enjoy watching the new girl squirm. The new girl whom," she added as the bell rang, "has a name. Learn it. Use it. Have a good day."

With that, she went off in search of her new class, once again hearing his laughter in her wake.

Fifth floor… third hallway… there it is! She allowed herself a triumphant smile as she walked into the room. She deserved it-she only got lost once, but at least she was on time! And would you look at that? Once again, the only open seat was the one in the back, in the corner, next to the window. Her day was finally looking up.

Or so she thought. Her happy bubble popped with an audible plop when the silver-haired figure in the seat next to hers turned around.

"You."

"You!"

"What took you so long?

"What are you doing here!?"

Ding, ding, ding! Saved by the bell. She took her seat. The boy shot her an amused glance, and turned back to his friend. The boy with the wandering hand, realized Kagome. Interesting.

"Hey Inuyasha-" he was saying. So the annoying silver haired jerk was Inuyasha, eh? "-can you introduce me to that chick you were talking to the other day?"

A patient sigh, then, "NO Miroku."

"Spoilsport."

The girl grinned before tuning them out. She liked this Miroku.

Her thoughts began to drift. This school is so BIG. Everyone is already organized into their little cliques. I don't really belong here. She shifted to a more comfortable position, sensing that this was going to be a long train of thought. I wonder what Eri and them are doing right now. I miss them all already, and I haven't even been gone for a week! Mental snapshots of her old life flitted across her mind. This move was for the best, though. Mom, Souta, Shippo and I barely managed to fit into that apartment. It was small and crowded and dirty, and something or other was always breaking down. It's not even like we needed it. We have the beach house for the summer, and we only stuffed ourselves into that tiny apartment because we grew up in it-we still thought of it as home. Next in her mental slide show were images of her grandfather and their family's shrine. But now that grandpa's sick, he needs Mama, and the schools here are pretty good. She sweatdropped. This TOTALLY beats being home schooled, but really… tuition is so high! Argh. Whatever. It's not like we can't afford it.

She snapped back to the real world when Miroku nudged her foot with his. "Got a pencil? Mine just broke, and I've learned not to depend on Inuyasha for anything school related." Wordlessly, she tossed him what he wanted and shifted her gaze out the window.

At least I don't have to worry about making friends here. I have Sango and Rin, and Houjo and Kouga. And my job. She allowed her face to scrunch into a slight cringe. Can't forget about my job. I mean, it's not that I dislike it or anything-I love what I do! But it takes up so much time, and I'm constantly worrying about whether or not anyone's gonna figure it out. But if someone does… I guess that can't be helped. She heard the class move, and saw that she had six more minutes until the passing period started. Well, at least I didn't bother unpacking anything this time. Inuyasha sent her a glare as Kagome moved towards the door. Yup. I don't need friends here. More images of her life at the old apartment. Jeeze… with grades like the ones I had last year, I REALLY don't need friends! And I studied from my own room, too! Distractions are evil, Kagome! Don't give Mom ammo to take away you work hours! She's scary when she thinks she has to be! And Grandpa needs the money: No money, no medical treatments! No freedom, no money! Angry mom, no freedom… Bad grades, angry mom… Distractions at school, bad grades… Friends at school are a distraction. Therefore, I can concur that-

"OI! GIRL!"

With a startled yelp, Kagome jerked her head in the direction of the call. Of course. Inuyasha. "WHAT!? You don't have to yell at me!"

"YES I DO! You were in la-la land again! The pervert was trying to tell you something!"

The girl turned humor filled eyes on Miroku. "I assume he meant you?"

"Uh… well," He stuttered. Not finding a decent retort, he simple held out a small piece of paper. "This fell out of your bag. I figured you might want it. You're Kagome, right?"

It was her class schedule. "Thank you so much! I would have DIED!" His eyes went wide with bliss when she took it out of his hand and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you," she drew back, "Miroku, was it?"

She knows my name! "You know my name?"

"I heard dog-boy over there say it," she joked, tilting her head to indicate that she meant Inuyasha.

"Hey!"

"HEY!!!" Kagome leapt back, horrified. Was his hand that uncontrollable!? "Miroku!?"

"Oh, my, Kagome! How did that get there?"

"Miroku?"

"That's quite odd!"

Inuyasha snickered.

"Miroku…"

"Yes, Kagome?"

"You have FIVE SECONDS to run for your life."

The bell rang. Miroku ran. (*and he couldn't get up in the morning…* sorry, I couldn't resist… ON WITH THE STORY!)

Huffing with barely contained rage, she looked at her next class. "Chemistry, third floor, first hallway, room 331. Maybe I'll be able to sneak away some toxic fluids to drop in Miroku's drink-"

"WHAT did you say!?" Inuyasha, who had left as soon as the bell sounded, was back in front of her, giving her a look of disbelieving shock.

Holding up her hands, she laughed nervously. "Now, now, dog-boy, I wouldn't REALLY poison him-"

"No, you twit, not that!" Ignoring the name-calling, he grabbed her schedule out of her hands and looked at it. With a frown and an audible growl, he ripped his own out of his pocket and unfolded it. "You've GOT to be kidding me."

Fearing the worst, Kagome gulped and looked at the papers in his hand. Oh no. Please… this SOOOO isn't happening.

They were identical. Class by class, room by room. Every single one.

They looked each other in the eye, dread apparent in both gazes, a single thought running through both their minds: Kami… we're gonna kill each other!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Despite the fact that she and Inuyasha had EVERY CLASS together, her day wasn't nearly a terrible as she thought it was going to be. She had the perfect seat in every class, and-with the exception of the two morning classes-she didn't have to sit next to him. On the contrary, he sat a good three seats away, with Miroku taking the seat next to, in front of, or behind her.

Needless to say, she and Inuyasha didn't waste their breaths on each other.

But the final bell had rung, and the school day was finally over. Finally! Tightening her hold on her bag, she ran down the stairs into the courtyard. All I have to do is run home, drop off my stuff, and then head to work! Yes! The sound of her name stopped her.

"Kagome! Wait up!" It was Miroku.

"Did you need something?" She was sort if in a hurry…

"Inuyasha and I were planning on meeting up with Kikyo and the gang, and, well," he smiled, "I was wondering if you'd like to join us? I happened to notice that you sat alone at lunch, and-"

Inuyasha cut him off with a snort. "You didn't `notice,' you were ogling her! Ayame practically had to wipe the drool off of you chin! And besides, I don't-"

Before he could be anymore of an ass, she interrupted, saying, "I'd love to, but I really have somewhere I have to be." She bowed her head. "I'm sorry."

Miroku was curious. "Like a job? Surely your employer wouldn't mind if you called in sick for a day. Come on, I promise you won't be disappointed!"

Kagome gave him a tense smile, picturing the thousands of dollars that Shikon Quest would lose if she didn't show. She doubted that would fly well with her `people'. "No, I think I'll pass. Thanks anyway, though."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course she's sure!"

Miroku elbowed him, with a gruff, "Shut up Inuyasha."

"I'm sure. Oh! I really do have to go!" Kagome took off, waving her hand apologetically. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

And with that, she was gone.

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